lonesome river band - seba publications...
TRANSCRIPT
June 2012 Volume 28 Number 7June 2012 Volume 28 Number 7
“God's given us years of happiness here Now we must part
And as the angels come and call for you The pains of grief tug at my heart.
Oh my darling Oh my darling My heart breaks as you take your long journey.”
Doc's wife of sixty plus years, Rosa Lee wrote the lyrics and he the music. How appropriate is their song as we remember and honor our friend.Doc Watson was born in Deep Gap, North Carolina on March 3, 1923, into a family already rich in musical tradition. His mother, Annie Watson, sang traditional secular and religious songs, and his father, General Watson, played the banjo, which was Doc's first instrument as well. At age thirteen he taught himself the chords to "When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland" on a borrowed guitar, and his delighted father bought him a $12 Stella. He later picked up some chords from a fellow student at the Raleigh (NC) School for the Blind, and began to incorporate material that he heard on records and the radio with the music of his heritage. Back home he played mostly with neighbors and family, among
them fiddler Gaither Carlton, who became his father-in-law when Doc married Rosa Lee Carlton in 1947. They had two children, Eddy Merle (named for two of Doc’s idols, country stars Eddy Arnold and Merle Travis) and Nancy Ellen. In 1953 Doc met Jack Williams, a local piano player, and began to play gigs for money. Doc stayed with Williams' rockabilly/swing band for seven years, a period and a style that he later revisited in the album Docabilly. But he also continued to play acoustic traditional music with his family and with his banjo playing neighbor, Clarence "Tom" Ashley. In 1960, spurred by the growing folk revival, folklorists Ralph Rinzler and Eugene Earle came south to record Ashley, and heard Doc Watson in the process. These sessions resulted in Doc's first recordings, Old-Time Music at Clarence Ashley's. In 1961 the Friends of Old-Time Music invited Doc, Ashley, Clint Howard and Fred Price to perform at a now-legendary concert in New York City, and one year later Doc gave his first solo performance at Gerde's Folk City in Greenwich Village. From then on, he was a full-time professional, playing a wide range of concerts, clubs, colleges and festivals, including the Newport Folk Festival and Carnegie Hall. By 1964 he had recorded his eponymous first solo album, and was represented by Folklore Productions, a relationship that continued until his death. In the late 1960s, Doc was joined on the road by his son Merle, who provided both musical and
emotional companionship; with Merle playing guitar and banjo and serving as partner and driver, the father-son team expanded their audience nationwide. After working for a while with the band Frosty Morn, they continued to tour with bassist T. Michael Coleman, and brought their music to Europe, Japan and Africa. A series of remarkable recordings, including collaborations with Flatt & Scruggs, Chet Atkins and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, helped make Watson the gold standard among traditional pickers. Although he briefly stopped performing after Merle died in a 1985 tractor accident, Doc (accompanied by his grandson Richard Watson and guitarist Jack Lawrence soon resumed a full-time
recording and touring schedule. He later teamed with banjoist David Holt, and the two shared a Grammy in 2002 for Legacy. In 2003 Doc reunited with Earl Scruggs and mandolinist Ricky Skaggs to film The Three Pickers, telecast on PBS. During his long career he recorded over fifty albums, many of which are still in print today. See more page 5
Doc WatsonMarch 3, 1923 - May 29, 2012
A rare appearance for Georgians asSammy Shelor brings his .…
Lonesome Rive r BandLonesome Rive r Band
Dallas, Ga will be the place to be on July the 14th as Sammy Shelor brings his award winning and highly acclaimed Lomesome River Band to town. Shelor is 4-time IBMA Award Winner for Banjo and Performer of the Year, 2011 Award Winner for the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass and has received numerous other awards and recognitions during his impressive career. He currently heads up the Lonesome River Band who are celebrating their 30th Anniversary. Raccoon Creek promoters Wendell and Renee Hardy continue to bring quality bands to their venue each year, but this may be their shining moment in booking great talent. Although no festival is planned for September as in the past this one should be one of their best yet as the present another super line up of bands including The Lonesome River Band.
Join us for a weekend of great music and entertainment on Friday July 13th and Saturday, July 14, 2012
Raccoon Creek Bluegrass Festival Raccoon Creek Music Park
332 Music Park Path, Dallas, GA
Doug Dillard PassesDoug Dillard was a bluegrass banjo legend and a member of groundbreaking Dillards and television's Darlings. in Andy Griffith's Mayberry. N.C.. He played the banjo on the local weekly radio show hosted by Howe Teague on KSMO. Doug and The Dillards were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in October 2009 and also
received countless honors and accolades through the years. Read more on page 4
2 Shows2 ShowsSaturday Only!Saturday Only!
Page 2 July 2012 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org
S E B A P U B L I C AT I O N SChairman C.S. “Charlie” Robinson
678 665-1112Email [email protected]
Contributors to this month's issueDavid Holt John Lawless Brian Alper
Richard Taylor Tom Barnwell Bonnie Johnson Robinson
We're still looking for your name on ourcontributions list too!
2012 SEBA Board of Directors Don Simons Charlie Robinson Rebecca Lawson Dan Daniel Dickson Painter Lester Danette Kellner
Joe SurowiecThe SEBA Breakdown is a production of:
The SoutheasternBluegrass Association, Inc
P.O. Box 20286, Atlanta, GA 30325.And is published monthly
Copyright 2012, All rights reserved.
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From the Editor's Desk From the Editor's Desk Although much more could be written about Doc in this issue, we thought it important to chronicle his life When we lose the ones we love and admire, it somehow seems we've lost a part of ourselves in the process. This is certainly the case for many with the loss of Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson and Doug Dillard. The world is constantly changing and so are we. The good news is that those we have admired and lost will always be with us. They left their mark not only on the
world, but our hearts too. Few too many people in the world today understand the impact we have on the lives others. Good or bad, everyone leads by example, because someone is always watching us. Aren't you glad you were watching Earl, Doc and Doug?
C.S. “Charlie” RobinsonSEBA President & CEO
Until next month keep posting those events atUntil next month keep posting those events at www.sebabluegrass.org/events/wpw/submit.php
Letters to the Editor Letters to the editors are always welcomed. We want your thoughts, ideas and comments. Your opinion counts and we are ready to listen. We are looking forward to hearing from you in future editions of your Breakdown newsletters.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Doc Watson’s passing. We should all praise God and thank Him for giving us the gift of Doc, his incredible talent and his beautiful music! Charlie and I had the opportunity to meet him backstage at The Variety Playhouse in 2007. (I still have the ticket stub and photos of us with him!) After being introduced to Doc, we had one of the most interesting conversations that you could ever imagine. He told us the story about his first banjo and the “skin” that created the sound. You are not going to believe this (and I hope no one is offended), but this is what Doc told us: “My grandmother had a very old cat that was sick and she asked me and my brother Lenny to put an end to his misery. Well, we took care of that business for her, but then, Dad took that old cat’s skin and dried it and stretched it real tight to fit around the head of this banjo. Me and my brother could not believe the sound it created! That cat skin made one of the best banjo heads you ever heard and it stayed on for as long as I picked it. I’ll never forget that old banjo!”That evening with Doc Watson on November 16, 2007 was magical. I am not a musician but I do appreciate and love good bluegrass music. The sound of his voice and the licks from his finger pickin’ guitar blew everyone in the audience away! Even now when I listen to his songs from my collection of his CDs, I am transported back to that evening and I can’t help but smile… I didn’t realize at the time what a blessing it was to see him in person; now I am so thankful that we were able to spend a little time with him in person.Thank you, Doc, for the memories. We love you! We know you are in Heaven now with Merle and y’all are playing some great bluegrass music! Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rosa Lee and your family. Bonnie Johnson-Robinson
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Bonnie, Doc & Charlie 2007
Page 3 July 2012 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org
New New SEBA SEBA Blairsville,GA Blairsville,GA NewNew VP Mark Cox 706 745-5888
[email protected] Blairsville's Historic Hole In The Wall Diner
12 Town Square Blairsville GA 3rd Friday 6 – 9 pm
SEBA CALHOUN, GA SEBA CALHOUN, GA New LocationNew LocationVP Howard Withrow 770-773-9431
[email protected] Oostanaula Community Center, 1595 Oostanaula
Bend Rd.Calhoun, GA 30701 2nd Sunday 3 - 6pm
SEBA CENTRAL (Atlanta Metro)SEBA CENTRAL (Atlanta Metro)VP John Miller 404 831-2676
[email protected] Presbyterian Church 1886 N. Decatur Rd Atlanta, GA 30307 2nd Sunday 3 - 6pm
New New SEBA Columbus, GASEBA Columbus, GA NewNew VP Michelle Justice 706-587-6012
[email protected] Pines RV Park & Campground
6404 Garrett Road Columbus, Georgia 31820The last Sunday of every month.
SEBA DAHLONEGA, GA SEBA DAHLONEGA, GA New LocationNew LocationVP Raymond Busbee 706-216-3885 [email protected]
The Crimson Moon Cafe, located just off the Square in Dahlonega at 24 North Park Street.
Dahlonega, GA 30533 3rd Sun 2 - 5pm
New New SEBA JACKSONVILLE, Fl SEBA JACKSONVILLE, Fl New New VP Ronnie Davis 904-813-1761
[email protected] Meetings and location
to be announced.SEBA FAYETTEVILLE, GASEBA FAYETTEVILLE, GA
VP Tommy Johnston [email protected]
Fayette Community Church 405 Fayette Place Fayetteville, GA 30214 3rd Sunday 3 - 6pm
SEBA FOOTHILLS, Pndelton\ Anderson SCSEBA FOOTHILLS, Pndelton\ Anderson SCVP Don Acevedo 864 376-1482
[email protected]'s Grocery Bluegrass 5109 Liberty Hwy Pendleton, SC 29670 4th Saturday 6:30 - 11pm
SEBA MARIETTA GA SEBA MARIETTA GA VP Dan Daniel 770 971-2154
[email protected] Of Our Redeemer 2625 Canton Hwy,
Marietta, GA 30066 1st Sunday 2:30 – 5:30pm
SEBA Middle Georgia Bluegrass Macon GaSEBA Middle Georgia Bluegrass Macon GaVP Sam Whaley 478-258-4818
[email protected] 6361 Zebulon Rd, Macon, GA 31220
1st Monday 6pm -9pm
SEBA TAG (Chattonooga, TN)SEBA TAG (Chattonooga, TN)VP Carson Madewell 423-624-3063
[email protected] CumberlandPresbyterian Church, 7407 Bonny Oaks Drive,Chattanooga, TN. 37421 3rd Sunday 2 -5pm
SEBA WINDER, GASEBA WINDER, GAVP Scott & Elizabeth Weber 770-207-9223
[email protected]. Anthony's Episcopal Church 174 St. Anthony's Dr Winder, GA 30680
1st Sunday 3 - 6pm
SEBA President & SEBA attend first Annual Georgia Music Awards.Atlanta, Ga June 16th the first Annual Georgia Music Awards was held in Downtown Atlanta honoring the diverse talents of those in all music generas, including Bluegrass / Americana and Country Music. SEBA's president C.S. “Charlie” Robinson said it was very encouraging to see the interest shown and the admiration spoken of by artists and professionals in the Hip- Hop Rap, R&B, Alternative and Rock music industry. “It was definitely not what some may think or expect” said Robinson who presented the nominees for the Bluegrass/Americana category on this night. Congratulating the GMA for an outstanding first effort and encouraging the attendees to continue to pursue excellence in the already successful Georgia music community, Robinson's remarks were met with great enthusiasm. This year's nominees included Joe McGuiness, Neil Cribbs, The Train Wrecks, IIIrd Tyme Out, Evan Barber and the Dead Gamblers, Honey Blue and SEBA member band The East Dixie Boys.
The awards were judged based on voting by the public at the GMA web site and regardless of the outcome all the bands and entertainers were winners by simply being nominated and gaining all the free public exposure. This year's Bluegrass/Americana winner by popular vote was, The Train Wrecks of Savannah, Ga who were unable to attend. We extend our warmest congratulations to them and all the nominees and winners.
Name change poses challenge for Steel String SessionName change poses challenge for Steel String Session We have changed our name (no longer are we Steel String Session.) Still the same great musicians... just a better fit for how we like to live OUR lives and approach our relationships.
welcome all of you, our friends & fans, to the next phase of us:Playing On The Planet
With a change like this comes social media challenges. Facebook will not allow us to simply move our existing facebook band page fans to our new Playing On The Planet facebook page. So we are encouraging our existing *facebook fans,* and those of you on facebook have not yet joined our fan page, to come on over to the new page just as soon as you can and do a great big *LIKE* on Playing On The Planet -- it means a lot!!
Want to start your own SEBA chapter? Contact [email protected]
To view or post Festivals go to http://www.sebabluegrass.org/events/festivals.phpFor all other events go to http://www.sebabluegrass.org/events/wpw/index.php
YOUR SEBA CHAPTERSYOUR SEBA CHAPTERS, , VICE PRESIDENTS, LOCATIONS & MEETING DATESVICE PRESIDENTS, LOCATIONS & MEETING DATESFor more information go to www.sebabluegrass.org
East Dixie Boys pose with Hip Hop Artist of the Year King Malachi photo by Rawdog.com
CD Review Wayne Taylor quit driving a coal truck 17 years ago to pursue his dream of being a full time musician. Being the bass player for Blue Highway and the band's very recognizable lead voicalist is only part of his talent. He has written or co-written many of the band's songs and now with the encouragement of his friends and fans has released his first solo effort.
It's About Time Taylor fans are in for a real treat as the
award winning singer/songwriter pens nine of the cuts on this CD. He was determined to record the project independently from Blue Highway, so he enlisted The Whites (Buck, Sharon, and Cheryl), Brooke and Darin Aldridge for back up vocals, Ron Stewart and Tony Brown to do the banjo work as Tom Adams provided guitar. Jesse Brock played mandolin with Rachel Johnson Boyd on fiddle, and of course, Wayne on bass. This is one outstanding CD that keeps that traditional bluegrass feeling in the music and lyrics deserving our highest accolades. Already on the radio and charts, it's a mush have for your collection. Visit Wayne an hear the samples at http://waynetaylorbluegrass.com/
Page 4 July 2012 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org
His enthusiasm is almost contagious as Brian Alper submits his first article for the SEBA Breakdown. Alper is a details orientated journalist with credits in several regional magazines. Although new to bluegrass, he's evidently contracted the “bluegrass bug” and shares his recent experience at the Armuchee Bluegrass Festival on Memorial Day 2012.
A MUSICAL WARRIOR IS AWAKENEDby Brian Alper
Thank God for good directions. “Go U.S. 27 north towards Summerville, turn right on Georgia Highway 141. It's up on the left. It's the best jammin' around. It's the best event around. We will see y'all there.” a friend confided.
Boy, do we have a good road trip ahead of us. Go get the dog. Where we're going there are pickers circles all around. They will go slow and teach us the chordsand
the words if we listen. Let's get to it. Son, let's ride!!
The 29th annual Armuchee Memorial Day bluegrass festival is well underway upon my arrival.On this Saturday night at Charlie and Bonnie Robinson's base camp, Dan Daniel stops by and sits down on the RV's front step. He talks with his banjo in hand and a big kid smile. More pickers show up, one's named Jody Hughes. He and his lady friend and other campers are listening to Daniel's story as he educates everybody gathered. "Y'all are the future! I'm gonna be dead. That is the future right there.", pointing to Jody, a young and talented musician. Daniel explains the importance of perpetuating bluegrass music for our grandchildren and then lets the banjo do the rest of the talkin'. Daniel soon transitions to an acoustic guitar as Jody Hughes takes the banjo from him. Charlie provides a driving upright bass to the mix. Campers (some with their own instruments) gather, listen, watch, pick and sing to the authentic version of Bluegrass Melodies, a 1979 Bobby Ozborne song written for his mother, as Daniel sings the heartfelt lyrics, "How I love sing along." How much do bluegrass music pickers love to play and sing along? Most of the campers come to play and jam themselves. The festival line-up continues on the main stage while the pickin' circles on this blissful bluegrass Saturday evening grow around the campsites. Even more pickers and friends and family have gathered around Bonnie and Charlie's base camp. "Go ahead Billy, you want one? You got one more in you Billy!", shouts to another picker as the music intensifies. One of the more memorable songs has a somber feel. People sing in harmony and all seem to know it. "Come back to me in my dreams love. Come back to me in sweet dreams.". Bill Monroe said it well. Come back to me in my dreams.Festival attendee Kevin Daniel who lives in Atlanta talks to a new found friend from Germany, Wolfgang Schumacher . "I don't know a lot about it. I don't really play it. I am learning about it. I find it to be amazing, beautiful and astonishing. There's a depth and beauty to all of it. On the surface it seems pretty simple, but the music is deep, some real life stuff. These guys live it. It's a state of mind. As outsiders we could soak it up and try to play". Wolfgang, a German cinematographer and quick friend to everyone around base camp, has gotten his first taste of bluegrass 'sunshine' and can not believe the authenticity and the quality of what seems like the best pickin' in the land, sent down from up above. "This is fantastic!" he expressively claims. It is apparent that the bluegrass music is an energy force to be reckoned with. He watches the open jam session (Charlie, Jody and Dan) and again in disbelief asks, "Are they making it up as they go?" "Only in bluegrass music can you get five musicians together and they don't have to know each other. They all know the songs and people will ask them, Are ya'll a band? says Rebecca Lawson. "It's a family reunion even though most of us are not related by blood (as she plucks her fiddle). It's a tight knit community, a pickers festival." She further explains, "You can hear the chord changes coming. It's just something that comes in time. You get a feel for the music. You know where it's gonna go." Bonnie and Charlie and company are soon joined by even more pickers. We get sleepy and tuck inside the tent somewhere near 4am and bed down while the music is still going strong. We drift and fade with bluegrass dreams. Come back again in my dreams. Please come back again in my sweet dreams... It is apparent that bluegrass music is awakening souls. There seems to be a tangibility that calls to the spirit. A musical warrior is awakened.
Remembering Doug DillardHaving been seen by millions, perhaps 100 million, through nearly 50 years of Andy Griffith Show reruns, Doug Dillard established his place in the history of bluegrass banjo. However, because much of the
mainstream bluegrass world was oriented to groups in the eastern region in the 1960′s and 70′s, and Dillard explored the world outside traditional bluegrass in much of his early career, I must confess that I did not fully appreciate the magnitude of his career at the time, and did not know or understand the contributions he made not only to bluegrass, but to other musical genres.Doug Dillard first began playing guitar at age five. He received his first banjo as a Christmas present at the age of fifteen, and, like most young banjo players in the early
1950′s, credited Earl Scruggs, Don Reno, and Ralph Stanley as his major influences. He reportedly had the oft-told experience of running his car in a ditch the first time he heard Earl Scruggs on the radio.Doug began his musical career playing in the family band, which included his father Homer, Sr. on fiddle, his mother Lorene on guitar, and older brother Earl on keyboards. In the mid-to-late 1950′s, Doug played in several groups, including the Dixie Ramblers, which also included his younger brother, Rodney, on guitar.In the closest thing to an overnight success as the bluegrass world has probably ever seen, the Dillards decided the same year to relocate to the west coast, and shortly after arriving they heard about a hotspot for folk music, the legendary Ash Grove nightclub. They went, got up on stage after the night’s scheduled entertainment had ended, were seen by a representative of Elektra Records, and by the next night were signed to a three album deal with Elektra Records — the stuff musicians’ dreams are made of.Their Elektra debut release was the legendary Back Porch Bluegrass, which included Dooley, Banjo In The Hollow, Old Home Place, and Doug’s Tune, among others.The following year, they were cast in recurring roles as the Darlin Family on the Andy Griffith Show, leading to numerous other television appearances, including special shows hosted by Judy Garland and Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Page 5 July 2012 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org
Memories & Reflections of
by Richard Taylor
In the days following his death, fans flocked to Doc’s bronze statue unveiled last year near the Mast General Store branch in downtown Boone, North Carolina. Flowers and heartfelt notes almost completely covered the memorialized singer and guitarist, as he sat frozen in time, picking his guitar
on a park bench. The statue’s inscription reads “Just One of the People,” as requested by Doc.
At Laurel Springs Baptist Church in Deep Gap June 3, hundreds waited in line to pay their last respects. Doc was posed in his typical concert garb, a red, blue and black checkered shirt, much like the one he had worn in a family portrait, with wife Rosa Lee, son Merle and daughter Nancy, placed in the church vestibule. A miniature guitar lay in an open case beside his left ear. His guitar pick rested between his right hand picking fingers, as if Doc was getting ready to play heavenly tunes in his next afterlife concert. A huge arrangement of yellow roses would later cover the coffin.
Speakers told how Doc saw with his ears. Doc's long time bass player and driver T. Michael Coleman emotionally remembered how Doc would practice his stage stories over and over as they drove to far away concerts.Coleman lovingly told the congregation "Doc was always Doc. No pretense, no inflated ego and no set list. He never talked down to his audience, they were always included, and they could feel it." "Doc
experienced the life he sang about. He understood the characters in his songs, and in a few cases, he was actually related to them. He made his audience care."Coleman said Doc taught him "respect was far more valuable than adoration and that doing the right thing was important no matter what the cost. My connection was never stronger than (when) he would take my arm to be his eyes. The trust embodied in that gesture was humbling. I always felt it an honor to take him on stage."Coleman added "blindness was never a problem for Doc. If he wanted to do something, he would figure out a way to do it, like wiring his house, or building an out building. He could tell you what kind of metal something was made of, just by rubbing his fingers on it and bringing his fingers to his nose."
Coleman asked us to close our eyes. "Smell, listen," he said, "this was Doc's world, this is how he fell in love with Rosa Lee and these mountains that he cherished so much.""Now open your eyes, "Coleman instructed, "as Doc did when he crossed over, (saying) 'I was blind, but now I see.' "Coleman added his vision of what happened next. "There in front of him was the face he had been longing to see his entire life, his son Merle. Merle took his hand and said to Doc 'Daddy, I've been waiting for you, come on let's go. There's someone I want you to meet.' And as they approached the Gates of Heaven, there was the other face he had been praying to see, his Savior, Jesus Christ."Even country star Randy Travis (by recording) reflected his respect and friendship for Doc, singing his song "Dr. Jesus," a number Doc really loved.Long-time Deep Gap friend and driver Robert Doyle said Doc "really taught me how to see, that's the way he was, just a regular country guy. Doc was authentic. His concerts were not performances, as much as conversations with his audience, graced by wonderful colorful stories leading into most songs."
Doc played many guitars over his long career, including his first Stella, then Gibson, Martin and Gallagher models. Guitar maker and friend Wayne Henderson was among many of Doc's friends paying musical tributes on stage that Sunday. Watson played a Henderson guitar when I saw him at Sugar Grove last summer.Long time manager and promoter Mitch Greenhill flew in from California, saying he first saw Doc at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963. "I guess you all know that the impact of Doc's music, which he learned here, has spun from the far reaches of this country to Europe and even Africa."Watson was without comparison as a musician," Greenhill reflected, "but he was generous enough to invite us to share his music with him on stage and let others lead a song. I'd like to thank Doc for showing me a true path through music."Watson's nephew, Rev. Gary Watson of Boone, presided over the service, with the assistance of Doc's family friend, Pastor Larry Young.On that June 3 Sunday afternoon, Pastor Young said there were three things we should know about Watson. He said, "Doc loved the Lord, he loved his family and he was down to earth, he didn't let fame and fortune go to his head."Rev. Watson closed the service by asking the congregation to join him in "one last farewell" — and we did, saying, "We love you, Doc!"Doc was laid to rest at the Doc and Merle Watson Cemetery on the family farm in the hollows of Deep Gap, off the Doc and Merle Watson Highway (US 421), 10 miles east of Boone. His son and past musical partner Merle was buried there following a tragic tractor accident in Foscoe in 1985.Afterwards, I saw two yellow butterflies chasing each other through the hundreds of rows of Fraser Firs waiting to become Christmas trees, on a hill overlooking Old US 421, near Doc's home. Maybe that was just Merle chasing his father around the fields, as if to say, "Welcome home, Dad."As the full moon rose over Doc's birthplace Stoney Fork, off the Blue Ridge Parkway, just east of Deep Gap that Sunday evening, birds accompanied each other as their songs seeped through the trees and down into the valleys. And if you listened real closely, you could almost hear a favorite son flatpicking along with lightning fast renditions of "Tennessee Stud," Shady Grove" and "Tom Dooley."So, whenever you drive through Deep Gap on the way to the mountains, remember this small community at the Eastern Continental Divide is famous around the world for one thing — the home of Arthel Lane Watson. Doc, you made all us Tar Heels proud. Thank you for the music so many have loved over such a long time.
Precious MemoriesPrecious Memories Douglas Flint Dillard, age of 75 died May 16, 2012 at a Nashville, Tn area hospital after a long illness, his wife Vikki, was at his bedside. . Doug was born March 6, 1937 in East St. Louis, Ill., and grew up in Salem, The son of Lorene and Homer Earl Dillard, Sr. Doug was married to singer-songwriter Vikki Sallee-Dillard of Nashville. They were partners and best friends and had many happy years together. Mr Dillard had a long and illustrious musical career .when Doug and his three fellow original Dillards members were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in October 2009. Our hearts go out to Doug's family and friends and fans. For all you gave us, we are so grateful.
Doc Watson at Home in Deep Gap by David Holt ©1992
Precious MemoriesPrecious Memories Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson, age 89, of Deep Gap, North Carolina died Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at a hospital in Winston-Salem. Doc was born March 3, 1923 in the Community of Stony Fork, Watauga County, N.C. A son of the late General Dixon Watson and Annie Greene Watson, he was a member of Mount Paran Baptist Church, and a honorary member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Doc is survived by his wife, Rosa Lee Carlton Watson, one daughter, Nancy Ellen Watson and a host of adoring fans.Doc was an honorary member of the SouthEastern Bluegrass Association (SEBA) since the late 1980's. Our sorrow is deep but our joy for his heavenly homecoming will be our solace until we meet again.
Page 6 July 2012 The SEBA BREAKDOWN sebabluegrass.org
Stained Glass & Bluegrass This month Tristan takes a break as her
performing duties and obligations put more demand on her. But we hear she's going to visit with the Issaccs and says she will report on her
experience next month. We're jealous.
You can write to Tristan at. [email protected].
by Tristan Tuttle
Jamming Et iquetteJamming Et iquetteAn excerpt from an article by Tom Barnwell
If you have never approached a jam session before, you may find it a very intimidating situation. When you first come up to a jam session, particularly if you don’t make eye contact, you will mostly be ignored. This does not necessarily mean that the jammers do not want you there, but rather that they think you just want to play along. Playing along (that is playing backup appropriately and tastefully at all times) is a perfectly acceptable activity, and is great practice. In general, I always play along for a while as I size up the jam session. Many bluegrass jammers love to get involved with new people and are very friendly, but if you look like you want to be left alone, they will generally leave you alone.After you have sized up a jam session and decided how you might fit in, offer to get involved either by suggesting a song on which you can sing or play lead, or by making eye contact. If I am ignored (which can be because I am not wanted or because the other jammers don’t yet know how I can fit in), I will often jump-in one time. This means that I will step forward and take a break when I get a chance, even though I have not been invited. This immediately shows the others what I can do, and makes my offer to participate very clear. Usually, after I jump-in, I am included in the session. If I am still ignored, I go somewhere else and find a better deal.Another thing to watch out for is that after you are included in a jam session, you should not hog the session. This is all too easy to do, since often you have been waiting sooooo long and you can do sooooo much. Good jam sessions are good for everyone, so if you are having a good time, try to make sure the others are as well. This is not always possible, of course, because sometimes the available pieces simply cannot be fitted together. However, one of the most wonderful things about bluegrass is the deep sense of community and even love which is shared by the participants. Be considerate and open, and you will inevitably be welcomed to that community.
This article Copyright, 1997 by the SouthEastern Bluegrass Association.
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Guitars For Sale: Martins--1956, D-18, $8,000 Now $4000; 1957, D-28, $9,000 Now $5000; 1979, D-28, Custom, $6,000. Carl McAlvin, 706-654-7088.
Polish fiddle An antique hand-crafted and hand-detailed fiddle; good condition, no bow, no strings. $400.00 Antonio Stradivarius Cox fiddle, made in West Germany, very old, good condition with bow and hard case, needs new strings $500.00 Call Anne 770-948-9427AKAI Model X1810 (Reel-to-Reel)3 Head, 3 Motor Stereo Tape Recorder/Cartridge. All original. Great warm sound. $400 OBO. 770-381-5955 JoeGibson RB250 flattop banjo for sale, serial number 889746, I have $2300 in it and would like to sell it for that. It is a very nice banjo, and was set up by Buddy Looney of Lawrenceburg,
Tennessee. I can also send pictures of it. Don McWhorter 478 731-38881948 Gibson tenor conversion banjo, 1948 RB 100 tenor banjo has been converted to a five string, it has the original 5 ply pot, with a custom McPeak tone ring. It has a beautiful "Bill Sulivan" neck with the flying eagle inlay as well as the "Gibson" This banjo is immaculate the resonator is original without a scratch and looks as good as the day it was sold new. A steal at $ 3000.00 478-258-4818 2011 "Whaley" Mandolin, this mandolin is a Master Liberty model, this mandolin like all Whaley's have a unique tone, solid Anirondak spruce top, with Sitka spruce tone bars. It is built with Red sugar maple cut on the slab, (like the loars), ebony peghead overlay, and fingerboard. finger board extension is indian rose wood. It has 1 3/16 nut with a slender neck, this is a fast and serious professional bluegrass instrument. A beautiful cherry burst instrument some of Sam's finest work. The new cost on this instrument was 6500.00 the customer forfeited their deposit, and declined possesion, 5000.00 obo 478-258-4818CANDOLINS - Genuine "Washtub John" Candolins. Perfect gift for the beginner to the musician who plays everything. Almost 2 octaves from ONE string. Easy to play. $25. Call 770-607-9027
Music InstructionMandolin Lessons in your home by Stephen Cagle. Cities are: Mtta, Kenn, Powder Springs, Dalls/Hiram, Acw, Emerson, Cartersville, Euharlee, Kingston, White, Adairsville, Rome. Please call/email me regarding pricing and your area if not listed. (cell) 678-429-1186 or email me at [email protected] thanks, Stephen Cagle MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS - Play music for fun at Gerry Hall's home studio. I teach Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Steal Guitar and coach vocals. Will work with bands on vocal arrangements and harmony singing. I recently received the Education Award from the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. 770-422-0220.GUITAR LESSONS Available in Calhoun/Gordon Co. area from Marty Parmer. I'm now accepting new students for beginner through intermediate guitar lessons. I teach country, gospel, and bluegrass and include jamming, flatpicking, and backup instruction. Call Marty at 706-680-6630BANJO LESSONS - available in East Atlanta area from Geoff Hohwald, author of the Banjo Primer Book and DVD. Beginners to advanced. Includes instruction on playing backup and jamming. Free lessons available at freebanjovideos.com. If you wish to take private or group lessons call 404 218 8580 or [email protected].
TALENT IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE IT'S WHAT YOU LEARN TALENT IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE IT'S WHAT YOU LEARN Being a successful band or entertainer is an art unto itself. Many great musicians and bands fall by the the wayside second guessing why they never achieved their goals. To understand it, or even begin to understand it, one must put aside their own personal beliefs, habits and agendas. If you want bluegrass and you to grow in sales, attendance and in the public's eyes, the following are suggestions to help you reach your goals as musicians and entertainers. Yes, you can move you and bluegrass to a higher level of success. If you perform for thousands or just one person, always remember that few people came there just to see you or hear your music! Most folks don't know you and they are there to be entertained, yes, entertained. When you spend your own hard earned money, you expect to get a great value for it. These audiences are expecting no less. Regardless of what you may think, people do not hold the same values and standards as you and yes they do judge you by your appearance and behavior. As the old adage goes, ”You never get a second chance to make a first impression” Your job is to capture that audience, their imagination and hopefully gain lots of new fans in the process. During or when your performance is over try to supplement your income with CD or paraphernalia sales, you may even get new bookings for your effort. One thing is for certain, people will show an interest in you, if you show an interest in them. Be open, courteous and engaging with the public, they love it. Flattery will definitely get you somewhere, even if the result is only an inflated ego. You have an obligation to whom ever books you to perform, to bring as many people through the doors as possible. They may be poor promoters and a successful attendance may lead to more work for you. Learn as many networking tricks as possible, ie. your own web sites and email lists (Don't have one? Get or create one), Facebook, SEBA's Live n Pickin or your SEBA Pro Web Page is a good start. Word of mouth is always great, but never, never, never depend on only one or two methods of communication. This includes SEBA's resources too. SEBA is not the total answer to your success either.Never settle for second best. Work and learn your craft, find new songs, create new arrangements and ways to interact with your audience. Be sure that your song selections (set lists) present a change of tempo and or subject matter, not just key changes to the same old melodies to the same beat. Try not to be too predictable, your current fans will love you for it. Even when you are not on stage you represent bluegrass music and people take notice. Be a good ambassador. There is so much more to it than this but, if you adopt any of these suggestions you must reprogram your thinking and approach. The time honored method of repetitive behavior will eventually become second nature to you (you won't have to think about it) and those changes will become your default habits for success.
Page 7 July 2012 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org
Ju 1 Sun Bluegrass Pickin' in Winder, St. Anthony's Episcopal Church, Winder, GA, 3-6 PM, Scott or Lizabeth Weber, [email protected], 770-207-9223Ju 1 Sun The Diesel Calhoun Band, Big Tex Decatur, Decatur, GA, 12noon - 3:45pm, http://www.bigtexdecatur.com/, Greg Brown, [email protected], 678-642-5033Ju 3 Tue "Georgia Crackers", Steve's Live Music, Atlanta, GA, 6:30 pm- 10:00 PM "jam at 7 pm, performance at 8 pm", http://www.steveslivemusic.com, Steven Grosman, [email protected], 404-441-9475Ju 6 Fri Barbwire Bluegrass, Old Crow Music Hall, Sandy Springs, GA, 9:00pm, http://www.oldcrowgrill.com, [email protected], jimmy rossJu 6 Fri First Friday Pickin, Sautee Village Shops, sautee, GA, 5:30 to 9:00 pm, Steve or Sheilah Welsch, [email protected], 706-878-0144Ju 7 Sat BULLSBORO Concert at Red Top, Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville, GA, 8pm - 9+pm, http://www.friendsofredtop.org/, Peggy Martin, [email protected], 678-478-2456Ju 7 Sat Dahlonega Appalachian Jam, Gold Museum State Historic Site, Dahlonega, GA, 2 PM - 5 PM, http://www.facebook.com/DahlonegaAppalachianJam, Rebecca Shirley, [email protected], 706-482-2707Ju 8 Sun SEBA Central Jamb, Emory Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA, 3pm-6pm, http://www.emorypresbyterian.org/, John Miller, [email protected], 4048312676Ju 13-14 Fri-Sat Barbwire Bluegrass, Raccoon Creek BG Festival, Dallas, GA, 6pm-11pm, http://www.raccooncreekmusic.com/, Ricky Ponder, [email protected], 678/251-8210Ju 13-14 Fri-Sat Barbwire Bluegrass, Raccoon Creek Bluegrass Festival, Dallas, GA, http://www.raccooncreekmusic.com, Jimmy Ross, [email protected], 770/361-6941Ju 14 Sat COUNTERPOINT Concert at Red Top, Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville, GA, 8pm - 9+pm, http://www.friendsofredtop.org/, Peggy Martin, [email protected], 678-478-2456Ju 14 Sat Dahlonega Appalachian Jam, Gold Museum State Historic Site, Dahlonega, GA, 2 PM - 5 PM, http://www.facebook.com/DahlonegaAppalachianJam, Rebecca Shirley, [email protected], 706-482-2707Ju 14 Sat Ken Scoggins & Miller's Creek, Picking On The Square, Franklin, NC, http://www.KenScoggins.Com, Ken Scoggins, [email protected], 803-230-9523Ju 15 Sun Porch Bottom Boys, Big Tex Cantina, Decatur, GA, 12 PM - 4 PM, [email protected] 20 Fri Coffiehouse SEBA Nights, GAHA,Gilmer Arts and Heritage Asc., Ellijay, GA, 7 PM - 9 PM, http://gilmerarts.org/, Al & Dana Henderson, [email protected], 770-846-0038Ju 21 Sat Dahlonega Appalachian Jam, Gold Museum State Historic Site, Dahlonega, GA, 2 PM - 5 PM, http://www.facebook.com/DahlonegaAppalachianJam, Rebecca Shirley, [email protected], 706-482-2707Ju 21 Sat Ken Scoggins @ Miller's Creek, Tractor Shed BBQ, Hendersonville, NC, http://www.KenScoggins.Com, Ken Scoggins, [email protected], 803-230-9523Ju 21 Sat SMOKEY'S FARMLAND BAND Concert-Red Top, Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville, GA, 8pm - 9+pm, http://www.friendsofredtop.org/, Peggy Martin, [email protected], 678-478-2456Ju 28 Sat Dahlonega Appalachian Jam, Gold Museum State Historic Site, Dahlonega, GA, 2 PM - 5 PM, http://www.facebook.com/DahlonegaAppalachianJam, Rebecca Shirley, [email protected], 706-482-2707Ju 28 Sat The SUGGINS BROTHERS Concert at Red Top, Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville, GA, 8pm - 9+pm, http://www.friendsofredtop.org/, Peggy Martin, [email protected], 678-478-2456Ju 29 Sun Bluegrass At The Barn, Lake Pines Event Center and RV Park, Midland, GA, 3pm - 6pm, http://www.lakepines.net, Andy Gilbert, [email protected], 7063156500
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JUL 13-14 1st Annual Bluegrass Festival, http://milltownmusichall.com/calendar_details.asp?event=27 Bremen, GA 770.537.6455 JUL 13-14 Mill Town Music Hall Bluegrass Festival, http://www.milltownmusichall.com Bremen, GA 404-983-4596 JUL 13-14 Raccoon Creek Bluegrass Featival, http://www.raccooncreekmusic.com Dallas, GA 770-943-2721 JUL 13-14 Raccoon Creek Bluegrass Festival, http://www.raccooncreekmusic.com Dallas, GA 770-943-2721 JUL 19-21 Rogersville Bluegrass Festival, http://www.rogersvillealabama.com Rogersville, AL 256-247-9449 AUG 16-18 North Carolina State Bluegrass, http://www.adamsandandersonbluegrass.com/North-Carolina-State-Bluegrass-Festival.html Marion, NC 706-864-7203 SEP 14-15 Grande Creek Bluegrass Jamboree, http://www.georgiasportsarena.us Swainsboro, GA 863-634-5815 SEP 21-22 Thousand Trails RV Resort Bluegrass Festival, [email protected] Gloucester, VA 540-894-8444 SEP 22 First Annual Buford Bluegrass and BBQ Jam, http://legionpost127.org/ Buford, GA 770-614-7035 SEP 29 Emory Presbyterian Bluegrass and BBQ, http://www.emorypresbyterian.org/ Atlanta, GA 404-831-2676 OCT 11-13 Fall Palatka Bluegrass Festival, http://www.adamsandandersonbluegrass.com/Fall-Palatka-Bluegrass-Festival.html Palatka, FL 706-864-7203 NOV 16-17 Top of Georiga Fall Bluegrass Jamboree, http://wwwgabluegrassjamboree.com Dillard, GA 706-746-2690
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Page 8 December 2009 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org
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